jueves, 21 de enero de 2010

I have had the pleasure to visit Japan more than once and each time I do, I fall more and more in love with its culture and all the craziness going on.

Japan and I have a long history. One of my beloved aunties has Japanese blood, so I grew up listening about the culture and seeing kimonos' pictures and Japanese decorations.

Her daughter, who happens to be one of my closest friends, had a great idea when we were 8 years old: We would save money from that moment on, so that, when we were 18, we could go to Japan together. Of course we didn't save and of course we didn't go.

Later on, circumstances of life sent a very close relative of mine to Japan. Of course!! I had to visit!!

I'd love to talk about the cultural differences between Japan and Mexico, but that's book material. Instead of that, I'll leave you with my newest video from my last trip to Japan and a few pictures of one of the most interesting features of this country: FOOD!!

Let's just say, I never ate seafood before, not until I visited Japan and now I'm addicted to it!!

martes, 5 de enero de 2010

There's no easy way to change old habits, but when those habits are getting in the way between you and happiness, there's no excuse!! You've got to do anything to change them.

One of the many things I've learnt from my dad during the last 26 years, is that success = happiness. He's quite a philosopher and I'd need a whole post to explain it in detail, but basically it means that you need to find what really makes you happy and go for it! Once you've got it, then you'll be successful!

We are now 5 days in 2010 and to be honest I don't think I'm even half way in the road to happiness. I am not complaining here, I seriously am not.

I am very grateful for what I have and what I am. I have the best family I could ever ask for, my friends are quite awesome and I have a job that I love and teaches me something new every single day. I even have love, respect and admiration for my boss!! You've got to admit that is very rare.

The road to happiness is one to enjoy and here is what I complain about: I tend to forget I need to enjoy it.

Many times during 2009, I found myself crying or suffering from things that can be easily changed, but these things have now become habits, which makes everything a bit more complicated...

Never before in my life, had I have such serious New Year's resolutions. You know, it's always about losing the extra pounds, working harder, saving money, travelling and some other very superficial ideas, but 2010 will be the year of life-changing decisions and I am, for once, determined to be happy.

I am the kind of person who, for some weird reason, enjoys feeling blue. I loooove crying and I'm very proud of being as sensitive as I am, but that's one of the few bad habits I have to change. It is ok to be sensitive, but making sadness a living is quite stupid. It ends up sucking you in and before you know it, you've been angry at yourself and sad about every silly little thing for months.

I also need to learn to be a little bit more selfish... I give my all in every single relationship I'm in. I'm not saying that's wrong, I'm just saying that I need to realize who really is worth my concern and love and who is not. Loving and doing almost anything for people who don't even care for you is not healthy. You end up saving everyone else's arses excpet for your own. I don't expect people to be like me, but I do except a little appreciation and when all you get is rudeness and hate, then it brings you down and kills the effort you've made to be happy.

I could go on and on about what I need to change, but I think I've made my point clear:

The only person in the way between you and happiness is yourself.

I've lived the last few years of my life sabotaging my own happiness and I need to put an end to that destructive attitude.

I hope these words help someone else out there as much as they've helped me... I will let you know later this year whether I've been able or not to change and get rid of my old negative habits.